Culture
Japan's Vending Machines, Hiding in Plain Sight
Vending machines are so ubiquitous in the country that many blend right into their surroundings.
As the vending machine capital of the world, Japan is well known for its dizzying array of grab-and-go options. Aside from drinks, you can buy everything from canned bread to batteries to full meals from the machines.
But what captured the attention of the Brooklyn-based French photographer Edward Way when he spent a month in Japan last year was the sheer number of these automated machines. Japan has at least 5.52 million vending machines country-wide, according to its official tourism board. That’s roughly one vending machine for every 23 people on the small island of 127 million inhabitants.